# Cosmos 1941
**Wikidata**: [Q13566735](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q13566735)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cosmos-1941

## Summary
Cosmos 1941 was a Soviet military spy satellite launched on April 27, 1988. Designated as a Zenit 8 class spacecraft, it was deployed atop a Soyuz-U rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to conduct reconnaissance operations.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Cosmos 1941 is an instance of a Zenit 8, a type of military spy satellite utilized by the Soviet Union.
- **Launch Date:** The satellite was launched on April 27, 1988.
- **Launch Time:** The specific launch event occurred at 09:10:00.
- **Launch Vehicle:** It was propelled into orbit by a Soyuz-U rocket, a universal variant of the Soyuz design.
- **Launch Site:** The launch originated from Site 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
- **COSPAR ID:** The international designation for this object is 1988-035A.
- **Satellite Catalog Number:** The US Space Command (SCN) tracks this object under number 19079.
- **Aliases:** The satellite is also known as Kosmos 1941.

## FAQs
### Q: What type of satellite was Cosmos 1941?
A: Cosmos 1941 was a Zenit 8 military spy satellite used by the Soviet Union for reconnaissance purposes.

### Q: When and where was Cosmos 1941 launched?
A: The satellite was launched on April 27, 1988, at 09:10:00 from Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31.

### Q: What rocket was used to launch Cosmos 1941?
A: It was launched using a Soyuz-U rocket, which is a "Universal" variant of the Soviet Soyuz rocket family.

## Why It Matters
Cosmos 1941 represents a specific mission within the extensive Soviet military space program, serving as a tangible example of late-Cold War reconnaissance capabilities. As a Zenit 8 satellite, it highlights the operational reliance of the Soviet Union on automated photographic reconnaissance to monitor strategic interests. The mission underscores the heavy utilization of the Soyuz-U launch vehicle, one of the most reliable and frequently used rockets in space history. By logging this specific launch—occurring in the spring of 1988—Cosmos 1941 contributes to the historical record of the more than 2,000 "Cosmos" designated missions, illustrating the scale and tempo of space-based intelligence gathering during this era.

## Notable For
- Being a confirmed **Zenit 8** military spy satellite.
- Launching aboard the widely utilized **Soyuz-U** rocket.
- Utilizing **Baikonur Cosmodrome Site 31**, a key operational launch pad distinct from the more famous Site 1.
- Bearing the COSPAR ID **1988-035A**, identifying it as the primary object of its specific launch mission in early 1988.

## Body

### Mission Classification and Type
Cosmos 1941 was an unmanned spacecraft officially classified as a **Zenit 8** satellite. In the context of the Soviet space program, "Zenit 8" refers to a specific class of military spy satellites designed for photoreconnaissance. These satellites were part of a broader strategy to gather intelligence from orbit, fulfilling the role of a military "spy satellite" for the Soviet Union.

### Launch Specifications
The satellite was successfully launched on **April 27, 1988**. The precise time of the rocket launch was recorded at **09:10:00**.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** The mission utilized the **Soyuz-U** rocket. The "U" stands for "Universal," a three-stage rocket design that was a workhorse for both military and scientific payloads during the Soviet era.
*   **Launch Site:** The launch took place at the **Baikonur Cosmodrome**, specifically from **Site 31**. This site, also known as Site 31/6, has been historically significant for launching Soyuz and Zenit-class vehicles.

### Orbital Identifiers
To facilitate tracking and identification in global space catalogs, Cosmos 1941 was assigned specific identifiers:
*   **COSPAR International Designator:** 1988-035A
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 19079
*   **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "19079"]

The "Cosmos" designation itself was a standard Soviet practice used to obfuscate the military nature of reconnaissance satellites by grouping them with scientific missions under a generic name.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report